9/11 Memorial this Monday

Everyone knows where they were and what they were doing the morning of Sept. 11, 2001.

When the news came across that terrorists flew planes into the World Trade Center towers, the Pentagon and the crash of flight United 93, the world as we knew it changed forever.

It has been 16 years since that fateful day and a memorial service will be held at Liberty Garden in Wright Park at 7 p.m. in honor of those who lost their lives.

"This year there will also be a tree planting ceremony in Wright Park in close proximity to Liberty Garden," said city public information officer and Keep Dodge City Beautiful coordinator Jane Longmeyer in a press release. "The morning of September 11 beginning at 7:45 a.m., a tree will be planted in remembrance of those who died from the first plane crash into the north tower of the World Trade Center.

"The other trees to be planted will be at 8:03 a.m., 8:45 a.m. and 9:10 a.m. to coincide with the other plane crashes.

"The planting of trees is also in conjunction with the Keep America Beautiful annual National Day of Planting which begins Sept. 9.

"We want to thank Western Beverage and Fidelity State Bank for sponsoring two of the trees."

In 2006, a 12-by-16 inch piece of limestone was added to the Liberty Garden memorial that features a replica of the World Trade Center towers.

The limestone was a 120-pound piece of the Pentagon that was saved from the terrorist attack.

At a ceremony in September 2006, the Pentagon piece was added to the memorial through the Keep America Beautiful Dodge City chapter.

The tree planting ceremonies and the memorial service is open to the public and all are encouraged to attend.